Lake gives away bicycles that otherwise might end up in landfill

TAVARES — Bicycles were winding up in the landfill, despite being in good working condition.

Some of them just needed to be wiped clean, while others required a new pedal or tire.

Patricia Cotoia, who works with the Lake County Solid Waste Division, suspected parents were throwing out the bikes as soon as their children outgrew them. The wheels started turning. She launched a program three years ago aimed at keeping the bicycles out of the landfill and provide residents with a set of wheels to get around.

She said it has been a boon to several residents. Many don't have other transportation, Cotoia said.

"We have a lot of people come and get a bicycle to go to and get back from work," she said.

Solid Waste Director Skip McCall estimates more than 700 adult and children bicycles have been handed out since the program's inception. Residents are allowed to pick up a free bike once a month at the county's central facility off County Road 561, he said.

"It's a good initiative for us," McCall said. "It keeps them out of the landfill and we give back to the community."

The county three years ago also launched a similar program at the landfill to recycle paint. Residents drop off unwanted paint, which is made available for free to others residents.

Some just need 'a little TLC'

Last year, McCall said more than 2,100 gallons were given out.

In addition to all of the bicycles pulled out of the landfill, the county reached out to the Sheriff's Office and local police departments, which have dropped off numerous abandoned and seized bikes over the years.

The Sheriff's Office recently dropped for 30 bicycles, Lt. John Herrell said. He said the majority of the bikes were abandoned, although they confiscated some from people using them in crimes, such as burglaries.

McCall said a lot of parents drop by the landfill to pick up bicycles for their children, especially around the holidays.

"Some are in great shape," he said. "They just need a little TLC."

Used bikes fine with kids

Charlotte Randall picked up three bikes earlier this month for members of First Baptist Church of Umatilla, which she has belonged to for decades, to repair and give out to kids for Christmas.

The 75-year-old Umatilla resident said the church gives out several bikes and toys for the holidays each year. Kids don't care if the bicycles are used, Randall said.

"If it works and the pedals turn, some kid is going to be happy," she said.

It also helps struggling parents, she said. Some of them can't afford to buy their children presents in these difficult economic times, so they rely on gifts such as the bikes.